Milwaukee Brewers, in the post-season hunt, expect to draw 2.8 million fans to Miller Park

Sep 9, 2018; Milwaukee, WI, USA; A general view during the eighth inning during a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports(Photo11: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports)

The Milwaukee Brewers will draw more than 2.8 million fans to Miller Park this season, Chief Operating Officer Rick Schlesinger said Tuesday.

With the team fighting for a playoff spot, the Brewers are 10th in Major League Baseball attendance, Schlesinger told the stadium district board. That's despite playing in the smallest market in the major leagues.

"It's been a very fun and enjoyable and high stress summer," he said.

Schlesinger projected that attendance "will exceed 2.8 million."

The Brewers drew 2,558.722 fans last season, averaging 31,589. The team cleared 3 million in 2011, the last time they made the playoffs.

This season, the Brewers have experienced the second largest increase in major league attendance, second only to the World Champion Houston Astros, Schlesinger said. That's despite an overall decline in attendance at major league baseball games.

"It's been constant, it's been steady and we're extremely pleased," he said of the current season. "We're happy to play meaningful games in October as long as possible."

The Brewers are two games behind the Chicago Cubs in the race for the National League Central Division title. The two teams play tonight at Wrigley Field.

This season, in addition to the turnstiles, concessions, parking and merchandise sales are up as are local television ratings for the Brewers, Schlesinger said.

"We're very fortunate in this market to have such loyal fans," said Don Smiley, stadium district board chairman.

Other observations from Schlesinger:

The Brewers are making investments in Miller Park and the Milwaukee market - including beefing up their community relations department - and at their minor league operation in Zebulon, North Carolina and the spring training complex in Phoenix.

The extension of the protective netting at Miller Park has been a success and has not hurt the fan experience.

Miller Park improvements for next season are still being finalized but will address security and information technology.